Do we deserve this political nightmare?

By Toki Blah

Archemides the great Greek philosopher and mathematician , discovered what is known as Archemides Principle, and in his excitement ran naked in the streets of Athens crying " Eureka, Eureka" ( meaning " I have found it" ) . In Meghalaya, we too have found it , the principle for political stability that is , but instead of the excitement of discovery , the entire state has been stripped naked and covered in shame . The gloom of public humiliation thick and dense because of the crass stupidity of our public representatives, lies heavy on the people of the state. The very atmosphere cloaked with a brooding sense of shame because it seems we have lost sight of those simple words called Decency in Public Life. Greed for money and more money seems to be the singular driving force behind the body polity of the state and the only objective left in life is to make more money. The thirst for power is so great that it has to be quenched at all costs. Against the backdrop of this appalling socio-political disaster stands a very intriguing picture. It is a picture of the common man hanging his head in shame ; apprehensive and fearful for the future of his children; sullen and angry at the disgusting escapades carried out in his name. By his side stands the well fed, arrogant and laughing politician proud and unrepentant at the distasteful achievements he has bestowed upon Meghalaya . Unfortunately there is a question that demands an answer. What do we do next and where do we go from here? Do the people who brought about this unholy mess have an answer?

Let us first ask the Governor . It was he who first of all declared that there existed a constitutional crisis in the state of Meghalaya and therefore there was need for the imposition of a President's Rule. Incidentally let me assure his Excellency that Central Rule is proving to be quite popular with the common man. In all probability this is nothing but a knee-jerk reaction to the dismal performance of past Popular Governments and their wishy-washy, bland and visionless administrations, but it is a relief all the same for the man on the street. Now his Excellency has decided to recall PR. Are we to understand that the co called constitutional crisis is over? That there was a constitutional crisis when the MPA had a majority of one but that it disappeared overnight when that majority of one now belongs to the MUA? This is indeed strange logic!

To me a constitutional crisis of a deeper and larger nature exists when MLAs start resigning without rhyme or reason. Have they been threatened or have they been bought off or is there really a crisis that has escaped the attention of everyone else but the duo? Are these unexplained resignations warranted and justified by adding poll expenses that a poor state such as Meghalaya can ill afford ? A political enigma that perpetuates instability in the name of stability exists in Meghalaya today. Can public representatives resign on their own whims and fancies? Is the public and the electorate of the state to be taken for granted in such an arrogant irresponsible manner? Isn't his Excellency concerned over such developments ? Electoral transparency and accountability are the need of the hour but they are apparently being shooed away by Raj Bhavan. A constitutional crisis within the spirit of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution now actually exists when the very ethos, philosophy and values of our Democratic Principles are threatened by considerations that have nothing to do with the interests of the state and its people. True, that every individual has his own interpretation of the Constitution, but for law makers and those who pass executive orders, such interpretation needs to be amply tempered by the spirit of the Constitution and not only by its letter alone.

The gloom of public humiliation thick and dense because of the crass stupidity of our public representatives, lies heavy on the people of the state. The very atmosphere cloaked with a brooding sense of shame because it seems we have lost sight of those simple words called Decency in Public Life. Greed for money and more money seems to be the singular driving force behind the body polity of the state and the only objective left in life is to make more money.

Then we come to this whole political drama ( natak would be more appropriate) currently being played out. The vital question is for whose benefit? I don't think that we the people elected our 60 MLAs to simply provide droll entertainment nor to play nonsensical musical chairs. Lest we forget, Government formation is for the benefit of the common man. It definitely is not meant to be a platform for self seeking individuals to feather their own nests. Elections are serious business to deliver good governance ; to improve the standard of living; to eliminate hunger and poverty ; to give hope to the hopeless. So if there is need for a change of Government, is the new administration prepared with a new vision and sense of direction for the state and its people? Are Mr Lapang and his MUA in possession of a development blue print that justifies all these destabilizing antics? Is such a document in existence or is it to be a state secret, if at all it exists. The suspicion of the public, and not without reason , is that this whole distressing exercise, of which all of us are dreadfully ashamed of , is simply to enable a few individuals to come to power. To come to power so that these same individuals can then start the process of looting and raping the state. The stakes of the common man in this whole sordid exercise is zero. He is expected to keep shut and say nothing. This is the squalid level that politics in Meghalaya has come down to.

Are Mr Lapang and his MUA in possession of a development blue print that justifies all these destabilizing antics? Is such a document in existence or is it to be a state secret, if at all it exists. The suspicion of the public, and not without reason , is that this whole distressing exercise, of which all of us are dreadfully ashamed of , is simply to enable a few individuals to come to power. To come to power so that these same individuals can then start the process of looting and raping the state.

This write-up is written for two reasons. The first is that as a citizen of Meghalaya , I have had it up to my neck! Fed up of being taken for a ride everyday of my life. Miserable at being lied to for the last 37 years. Fearful and apprehensive for the future of my children . Downright suspicious of our so called leader's ability to lead. Thoroughly convinced that the present political system is incapable of producing anything to look forward to. Most frightening of all is that my very identity ; my culture and my value systems as an indigenous person are being destroyed by the very people I rely on. Secondly I am convinced that the time has now come for me to do something about it. It cannot however be done alone. I believe that there are others out there who share my apprehensions, my fears and my hopes. I know there are fellow Meghalayans who wish and who want to change things. We can no longer allow louts, scoundrels, hooligans and conmen to take charge of our lives. We deserve better than this and we the people together can take charge of our own destiny. We have to shout to make our voices heard. Let us do it through listening to each other. Let us try by coming together to work out a common survival strategy . The writer would love to get a feed back from readers on these proposals . Your comments are most welcome at toki@neline.com The writer is the President of ICARE , an organization that focuses on issues of Good Governance. THE SHILLONG TIMES